A MAN who blasted an old friend with a shotgun has told a jury that he only intended to "frighten him".

Bradford Crown Court has heard how Paul Stephens was shot in the stomach after being driven to an area near some arches at Bridge End, Brighouse, in March last year.

But Glasgow-born Alan Morrison, who admits pulling the trigger, told the court yesterday that he fired the gun at the ground at the side of Mr Stephens's legs.

Asked by his barrister, Graham Hyland QC, how he felt about the fact that Mr Stephens did suffer serious injury, Morrison replied: "I am upset about that.

"I didn't want that to happen."

Morrison, 45, of Cold Street, Haworth, John Hardy, 46, of Rochdale Road, Greetland, Halifax, and Tony Lee, 21, of Backhold Drive, Siddal, Halifax, all deny attempted murder, wounding Mr Stephens with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, carrying a firearm with intent to commit murder and carrying it with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Hardy and Lee have also pleaded not guilty to doing an act intended to pervert the course of justice.

Lee was found not guilty of a similar offence, on the direction of the judge.

It is the Crown's case that Hardy supplied the gun and ammunition as well as back-up support and that Lee acted as a minder and provided back-up.

Morrison said he decided to frighten Mr Stephens a few hours after being told that he had sexually interfered with a young girl.

He said he contacted a friend in Pudsey who owned a "rabbit gun" and told him he needed it to shoot rabbits who were digging up plants in his garden.

"It makes a loud bang, but doesn't do a right lot," added Morrison.

"I thought that would be the best way."

Mr Hyland asked Morrison if Mr Hardy had supplied the gun, to which he replied: "No".